Done and Dusted - December is Here

It's finally here - the 2017 Connie Gee's SAL is coming to an end! It's been a blast to see everyone's progress on this SAL throughout the year.

For December, Chanda stitched her version in DMC 894. My version is done in DMC 3607. You will find the pattern for December on the 2017 SAL page. Be sure to share your finished SAL in the Connie Gee's Stitchers Group on Facebook. That group is also where you will learn more about the 2018 SAL. The first part has already been released with more to come in January 2018. Get the chart.

Choosing Colors

I thought I'd share a little about how Katie, Meagan and I chose our colors for our SAL projects. I will use Katie as my main example because she was kind enough to go into some detail about how she made her selections.

Katie's initial inspiration was found in a peacock feather. She then selected a range of DMC colors inspired by that feather.

After she chose the DMC colors, she wanted to add one variegated thread, so she took the DMC colors she'd chosen and found a Threadworx floss that worked well with all of them.

Her final step was to make a layout of how she would place the colors on the SAL. She chose a neutral color 28-count fabric and decided to use 2 strands of floss to stitch her SAL and then she was ready get started.

My process wasn't quite as involved. I had a DMC variegated floss (Coloris 4520) I'd been wanting to stitch with and I decided this was the time to use it. I choose a light blue fabric at first, but after stitching a bit on it, parts of the variegated floss just weren't showing up. So, after looking at my fabric stash, I chose black 14-count Aida from Charles Craft and started over. I also decided to stitch the borders in white (B5200).

Meagan started out looking at her fabric stash. She made one selection of tan fabric and light blue floss, but then realized the fabric wasn't quite large enough, so it was back to the drawing board. She then choose a nice, untitled hand-dyed fabric from Sunny Dyes. Ultimately she decided black was the best choice for the stitching. As you can see above, it's working out quite well.

How will you decide your colors? Will it be inspired by an object like Katie's project? Will it be a favorite color floss? Or will the fabric be the jumping off point? Of course, there are any number of ways you may be inspired to choose. Tell us about it in the comment section below or make a post in the Connie Gee's Stitchers Group on Facebook.

November's SAL Section

Wow - this year has flown by! Only one more section of our Rainbow SAL left to go after this one. Chanda chose to stitch the November motif in DMC 3880. My version is done in DMC 807. As always - choose any color you like! You will find this pattern on the Rainbow SAL page.

If you are planning for next year - the 2018-2019 Back Stitch SAL will officially start in January of 2018, but I have already posted the borders and the first section so you can get started on choosing your fabric and floss. Check it out on the Back Stitch SAL page and watch for lots more information coming soon. I will have some tips about stitching back stitch, about choosing colors, and some stitched examples of the first section of the SAL.

Only Two More Left!

Here's the next part of the 2017 SAL from Connie Gee's Designs. I can hardly believe that we only have two more sections left.

Chanda's version, shown on the left, was done in DMC 791. You may use the suggested green floss, Chanda's selection, or choose your own color. Get the October SAL Section Ten.

If you are interested in the 2018-9 SAL, more details will be coming soon, but here's what we know so far. It will be a 2 year SAL. The design is made up of backstitch. I would suggest doing the SAL on Aida or evenweave. You may choose any colors - do it in a single color or multi colors. There will be 26 parts to the SAL including a very simple border. I will release the details of the dimensions soon.

September's SAL Section

It's time for another SAL section! Chanda stitched her version of this section in DMC 701. You can choose to stitch it in the color suggested or choose your own. You can find the pattern on the 2017 SAL page.

While we still have several months in this SAL, I have been planning and looking forward to the 2018-19 SAL. The SAL will be all backstitch this time. I will be giving more info like size and fabric and floss suggestions at a later date, but I wanted to let you know that it will be a 2 year SAL. I will post one section a month and there are 25 section in all plus a very simple optional border.

Time for August SAL Section

Time to post the next section of the Rainbow SAL! Chanda stitched her section with DMC 3890. My little mock up shows the color I charted it as originally. You will find the next section on the Rainbow SAL page along with all the previous sections. Show off your progress in the Connie Gee's Stitchers Facebook group.